WO2003067178A1

WO2003067178A1 - Protective device for confinement of explosive or suspicious objects as such

Info

Publication number: WO2003067178A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/000265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles Laubie
Original assignee: Sema
Priority date: 2002-02-06
Filing date: 2003-01-28
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: EP1472503A1; AU2002364923A1; EP1472503B1; AU2003226857A1; WO2004068063A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a blast barrier protective device comprising a mat (22) and a bell-shaped hood (1), the mat (22) and the hood (1) being each made of blast barrier material sheets, the hood (1) being designed to be set on the mat (22) to cover a suspicious object placed on the mat (22). The protective device enables to isolate an object suspected to be an explosive device, and to attenuate the effects of explosion of the suspicious object in a transport vehicle which cannot be rapidly evacuated, such as an aircraft for example.

Description

Protective device for the containment of explosive objects or suspected as such.

The present invention relates to a protective device for the containment of explosive objects or suspected as such, of the type capable of mitigating the damage caused by the explosion of an explosive object or device.

The protection of individuals against explosive devices or objects placed in public places generally involves the evacuation of people. However, when an explosive device is discovered in the cabin of an airplane, and if the airplane is in flight, it is impossible to have the airplane evacuated immediately by the passengers. It is therefore advantageous to be able to protect passengers and the aircraft from the consequences of an explosion, while waiting for landing and the intervention of qualified demining personnel. The present invention relates to a splinter protection device for isolating an explosive device or suspected as such and capable of attenuating the blast effect of an explosive device and containing the projectiles generated during the explosion.

The invention also relates to a splinter protection device, of compact size, which can be set up easily and quickly, and protecting the occupants of an aircraft, and the cabin of the aircraft, in order to avoid deterioration. of the last.

The invention also relates to a splinter protection device making it possible to isolate an explosive object or suspected object as such, and to move it to isolate it in a less sensitive place, firstly, and later to place it in a environment to safely examine and neutralize it.

Such a splinter protection device comprises a mat and a bell, the mat and the bell each being formed from sheets of splinter material, the bell being intended to be placed on the mat by covering a suspicious object placed on the mat. .

The suspicious object placed on the carpet and covered by the bell is therefore isolated using sheets of splinter-proof material which prevents the projection of projectiles, following the explosion of the suspect object. Furthermore, the main damage caused by an explosive object is caused by the shock wave or blast effect resulting from its explosion. The bell and the mat of the splinter protection device make it possible to largely absorb the blast effect following the explosion of a small explosive device, for example hidden to be introduced into the cabin of an airplane. . If the object explodes, the bell will be lifted from the carpet, and possibly torn by absorbing the energy of the shock wave. The mat protects the floor from projectiles and shock waves. The bell and the mat of the protection device make it possible to largely absorb the energy produced by the blast effect by dissipation of this energy.

Usually, it is not recommended to handle an object suspected of being explosive. If this suspicious object is discovered in an airplane, the security imperatives encourage nevertheless to move this object on the carpet, with care, in order to be able to cover it with the bell and to isolate it to mitigate the effects of its possible explosion. The suspicious object placed on the carpet and covered by the bell can easily be moved from a distance by pulling the carpet, using a pole or rope.

Preferably, the carpet and the bell are formed of flexible splinter-proof materials. Thus, the carpet and the bell can be easily folded and stored discreetly. In particular, the bell formed from flexible splinter-proof materials makes it possible to obtain a bell which can be easily folded for its storage, and unfolded for its arrangement on the carpet.

In one embodiment, the bell is obtained by folding a sheet of splinter-proof material and fixing the two sides by their lateral edges, the end edges of the sides being left free to form an opening. The bell thus formed from a single sheet of splinter-proof material is more resistant and more capable of absorbing the energy released by a shock wave from an explosion. In particular, the upper part of the bell, which forms the bottom of the bell opposite to its opening, is continuous, which ensures the good behavior of the bell during an explosion and the lifting of the bell in the event of an explosion for better absorb the energy released by the blast effect of the explosion.

Advantageously, at least one of the panels comprises a projecting lateral flap, the flap being intended to be folded up and fixed on the other panel. A side flap of a folded pan allows overlapping of the panels, ensuring better protection against of projectiles, and improved resistance of the bell for better absorption of the energy of the blast effect of an explosion.

The bell made of flexible material is formed by folding a sheet of splinter-proof material and forms a sort of pocket of small thickness when it is folded. When the bell must be arranged to cover an object placed on the carpet, the flexibility of the bell makes it possible to spread the edges of the opening to enlarge the opening and the volume of the interior cavity of the pocket, to easily cover the suspect object under consideration.

The mat in splinter-proof material protects the floor from projectiles. However, the forces developed on the carpet by the blast effect due to the explosion are large and localized, so that there is a risk that a floor will be damaged by the blast effect through a material carpet. splinter-proof. In one embodiment, the mat further comprises means for absorbing the energy released by the blast effect of an explosion. The means for absorbing energy provided in the carpet make it possible to absorb energy produced by forces created on the carpet by a blast effect to protect a floor.

In one embodiment, the mat comprises intermediate elements capable of deforming by dissipating energy. The intermediate elements are deformed under the effect of the forces developed by the blast effect on the carpet and to which they are subjected.

In one embodiment, an absorption element can be provided in the form of a deformable damper defining an interior volume containing a fluid. The damper filled with fluid, when subjected to a large crushing force applied suddenly, dissipates energy by deformation of its walls as well as by compression of the fluid. If the deformation continues, energy dissipation is also effected by rupture of the walls and evacuation of the fluid contained in the damper. The damper can be closed so that the fluid can only escape with a break in the damper. One can provide a shock absorber provided with an opening for a dissipation of energy by evacuation of the fluid from the beginning of the deformation of the shock absorber. The fluid can be liquid or gaseous, such as air.

To improve energy absorption while maintaining a compactness of the device, the latter may include a first shock absorber and at least one second shock absorber of smaller dimensions and nested in the first shock absorber. In one embodiment, an absorption element comprises at least one coiled pipe defining a volume containing a fluid. The coiled pipe forms a shock absorber with a large surface. In addition, the coiled pipe has many walls compared to the total volume of fluid contained, so that energy dissipation by deformation of the walls is increased.

A pipe can advantageously be closed at its ends. In one embodiment, the carpet comprises, in an intermediate space, a form or foam padding.

In one embodiment, the mat includes a force distribution zone located between an upper surface of the mat and energy dissipating elements. The force distribution zone can be in the form of a rigid plate, for example made of a large thickness of splinter-proof material.

The distribution of forces allows a distribution of the point force developed by the blast effect of the explosion on all of the energy absorption elements. Advantageously, mutual fixing means are provided between the carpet and the bell making it possible to connect the bell to the carpet once the object has been placed on the carpet and covered by the bell. Thus, in the event of an explosion, the bell, despite the lifting forces exerted on it by the blast effect, is retained on the carpet. This improves protection against flying shards and helps absorb the energy of the blast effect. To do this, we can provide straps and hooks provided on the bell and the mat for mutual maintenance of the bell and the mat.

In one embodiment, a surface of the mat is provided with fixing means with the bell, and the opening of the bell can be provided with flexible lips provided with means for fixing with the mat. The flexible lips surrounding the opening of the bell allow fast fixing of the bell on the carpet, simply by placing the bell on the carpet. The flexibility of the lips allows the bell to open, the lips adapting to the profile of the opening to ensure better fixation on the mat. The fixing means between the mat and the bell may be contact fixing coatings of the loop and hook type.

The means of fixing the mat with the bell also make it possible to maintain the bell to prevent it from falling, in particular when the splinter protection device is moved, while an object is covered by the bell. In one embodiment, a splinter-resistant material used in the composition of the bell ^" and / or the mat is multilayer and comprises at least one layer resistant to acid splashes. The insertion of a layer of material resistant to splashes acids in the multi-layer material forming the carpet or the bell prevents projections of acids which could injure people, or damage the equipment or the cabin of an airplane.

Advantageously, the mat comprises gripping means. The bell can also include gripping means. The dimensions of the mat and the bell are adapted to allow easy and easy handling. The dimensions are also adapted to allow, for example, to pull the carpet covered by the bell between rows of seats, in order to move the suspect object away from the occupants of the aircraft, while ensuring better handling safety. the suspect object and mitigation of the effects of an explosion, if the suspect object turns out to be an explosive device. To further improve the protection provided by the protection device, it is possible to provide at least one container made of splinter-proof material, which can be closed, and designed to receive the suspect object and to be placed on the carpet and covered by the bell. Thus, the blast effect produced by an explosive object placed in the container and then confined between the carpet and the bell will first develop forces on the container, which will allow a first absorption of energy before the blast effect does not spread or cause the container to tear and does not develop forces on the bell.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood on studying the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sketch of a bell according to one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bell of FIG. 1 completely assembled;

FIG. 3 is a top view in elevation of a carpet according to one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the splinter protection device according to one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a multilayer material used in the construction of a bell or a carpet according to one aspect of the invention. - Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a second protection device according to one aspect of the invention;

- Figure 7 is a sectional view of energy absorbing elements according to one aspect of the invention; - Figure 8 is a sectional view of absorption elements according to Figure 7 in the deformed state;

- Figure 9 is a sectional view along IX / IX of the device according to Figure 6 provided with absorption elements according to Figure 7;

- Figure 10 is a sectional view of a variant of an absorption element according to Figure 7;

- Figure 11 is a schematic overview of an intermediate container according to one aspect of the invention; and

- Figure 11 is a schematic overview of another intermediate container. The splinter protection device according to the invention essentially consists of a bell 1, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, and of a mat 22 shown in FIG. 3. The bell 1 is intended to be placed on the carpet 22 is removably secured thereto by covering a suspicious object.

Referring first to Figure 1, a bell blank 1 comprises a sheet 2 of splinter material of generally rectangular shape. The sheet 2 comprises an interior surface 3 visible in FIG. 1, and an opposite exterior surface 4. The sheet 2 comprises a fold line 5 extending in the width direction of the sheet 2, and separating the sheet 2 into two sections of the same dimensions 6, 7. The first panel 6 comprises a transverse end edge 8 extending along the width of the sheet 2, being parallel to the fold line 5, and lateral edges 9, 10, extending in the lengthwise direction of the sheet 2, between the fold line 5 and the end edge 8.

The second panel 7 comprises an end edge 11 opposite to the end edge 8 of the first panel 6. The second panel 7 also comprises lateral flaps 14, 15 extending outwards. The second panel 7 comprises lateral fold lines 12, 13 of the flaps 14, 15, the fold lines 12, 13 extending the lateral edges of the first panel 6, extending from the fold line 5 to the end edge 11 of the second panel 7. The first panel 6 comprises a lip 16 extending outward from the end edge 8 of the panel 6. The lip 16 is substantially rectangular. Its length is substantially equal to the width of the sheet 8, while being slightly less. The lip 16 is covered by a fastening strip 17 of the loop and hook type, on the side of the interior surface 3. The second panel 7 comprises a lip 18 extending from the end edge 11. The lip 18 is symmetrical of the lip 16 with respect to the fold line 5. A fastening strip 19 of the loop and hook type is fixed on the lip 18 of the second panel on the side of the interior surface 3.

To obtain the bell 1 in its final form, the sheet 2 is folded along the fold line 5 by bringing the sides 6 and 7 together so as to orient the inner face 3 of the pan 6 opposite the inner face 3 of the pan 7. Then, the flaps 14, 15 of the pan 7 are folded along the lateral fold lines 12, 13, and the flaps 14, 15 are fixed on the pan 6, for example using seams. The flaps 14, 15 can be folded back so as to come between the panels 6 and 7, or to be fixed on the external surface 4 of the panel 6 opposite the panel 7.

In order to improve the closure of the bell 1, provision may be made for the flaps

14, 15 of the pan 7 include tabs (not shown in the figure) extending from the side of the pan 6 and intended to be folded along a line extending the fold line

5, to allow overlapping of the ends of the fold line 5 between the central portion of the sheet 2 and the flaps 14, 15.

As indicated in detail below, the bell 1 is made of splinter-proof material. Preferably, this material is chosen so that it has a flexibility facilitating its use. The bell 1 can thus easily be folded for its storage. The bell 1 can also easily be deployed to cover a suspicious object. The material of the bell 1 the bell 1 is also sufficiently resistant to absorb the energy of a shock wave of an explosion and to stop the projectiles launched at high speed by the explosion.

As shown in Figure 2, the bell 1 comprises a handle 20 fixed on the upper edge 21 of the bell formed by the folding of the sheet 2, in the intermediate portion of the sheet 2 located at the fold line 5 .

Referring now to Figure 3, the mat 22 includes an upper face 23 and an opposite lower face 24. The mat has a generally rectangular shape. It comprises on its upper surface 23 fastening strips 25 of the fastening strip type with loops and hooks, arranged parallel in the direction of the length of the mat 22. The mat 22 includes end edges 26, 27 extending in the width direction of the mat 22. Handles 28, 29 extend outward from the end edges 26, 27 of the mat 22.

In order to contain the projectiles or splinters generated during the explosion, the bell 1 and the mat 22 are made of splinter-proof materials capable of preventing the passage of projectiles.

FIG. 5 shows a sheet of splinter-proof material used in the construction of the bell 1 and of the mat 22. This material is multilayer and comprises an intermediate bullet-proof layer 30 formed by a superposition of layers of material of the polyethylene type and intended to stop projectiles. Anti-acid layers 31, 32 made of fabric resistant to acid splashes are located on either side of the splinter-proof layer 30. The anti-acid layers 31, 32 make it possible to avoid the projection of acids which could be placed in an explosive device in order to injure the greatest number of people. The anti-acid layers 31, 32 can in particular consist of a fabric or product known under the trade name Santoprene®.

The multilayer sheet finally comprises a surface layer 33 formed of two sheets 34, 35 joined at their ends by a sewn edge. For the surface layer, a resistant fabric of the type known under the trade name Cordura® can be used. Any other type of fabric fulfilling the functions mentioned above can be used for the constitution of the sheets of the carpet 22 and of the bell 1.

It can be provided that the bell 1 and the mat 22 are not obtained from an identical multilayer sheet. For example, it can be provided that the splinter layer of the carpet is thicker than the splinter layer of the sheet of the bell. For example, provision may be made for the splinter layer of the carpet to comprise a stack of forty-four layers of polyethylene fabric, the sheet of the bell 1 comprising twenty-two layers of polyethylene.

Furthermore, provision can be made to have in a multilayer sheet only one anti-acid layer. In the carpet, it will be possible to provide a single layer of anti-acid fabric, disposed near the upper surface 23, or the lower surface 24. In the bell 1, an anti-acid layer may be provided located near from the outer surface 4 or the inner surface 3 of the sheet 2 of the bell 1 blank. When a layer of anti-acid fabric is placed on the side of the splinter-proof layer 30 opposite the upper face 23 of the mat 22, the layer of anti-acid fabric is protected from possible projectiles by the bullet-proof layer 30, this which prevents it from being pierced. When a suspicious object is discovered, the mat 22 is placed near the suspect object. Then, the suspect object is carefully moved to position it on the mat 22, substantially in the central position. Next, the bell 1 is grasped. The end edges 8, 11 of the sheet 22 are moved aside in order to enlarge the opening formed between the end edges 8, 11. The cavity of the bell 1 is then also enlarged. The lips 16, 18 are grasped in order to present the fixing strips 17, 19 downwards. Then, the suspect object is covered with the bell 1 by vertically lowering the bell 1 so as to cover the suspect object. In doing so, the lips 16, 18 are placed in contact with the upper face 23 of the mat 22, so that the fastening strips 17, 19 of the lips 16, 18 catch on with the fastening strips 25 of the mat 22.

Advantageously, provision may be made for the fastening strips 17, 19 of the lips 16, 18 to be unable to hang between them in order to facilitate the handling of the bell 1 and the rapid opening of the bell 1. When the bell 1 is finally arranged, the splinter protection device is arranged as shown in FIG. 4.

During an explosion of a suspicious object enclosed under the bell 1, the shock wave of the explosion will cause the fastening strips 25 of the carpet and the lips 16, 18 of the bell 1 to become detached, and a consecutive lifting of the bell 1. At the same time, the shock wave can cause a partial or complete tearing of the bell 1. The detachment of the bell 1 from the belt 22 and the tearing of the bell 1 allow the absorption of energy of the shock wave.

If the suspect package is discovered in an airplane, once the airplane has landed, the package can be removed from the airplane by pulling it using the handles 28, 29 of the mat 22 to bring it to an area where it can be examined and neutralized. The handle 20 of the bell 1 can be pulled from a distance, in order to raise the bell 1 so that the suspect package can be examined or destroyed using appropriate means. We prefer to lift the bell 1 from a distance, in order to prevent the rough handling of the package from causing it to explode, if however it is indeed an explosive device. As shown in FIG. 4, a carabiner 36a, 37a can be provided on the handle 20 of the bell 1 and a handle 28 of the mat 22 connected to the handle 20, 28, a cord 36b, 37b being provided for pulling the bell 1 or / and the mat 22 remotely, in order to move the together or separate bell 1 from carpet 22.

The handles 28 and 29 of the carpet 22 and the handle 20 of the bell 1 also make it possible to be able to easily handle the carpet 22 and the bell 1, for their use, or for their storage. The carpet 22 and the bell 1 provided with handles 28, 29, 20 can easily be suspended from a hook on the plane. The mat 22 and the bell 1 being made of flexible material can easily be folded and stored discreetly. Furthermore, the mat 22 can be used as personal protection by navigating personnel who can place it in front of their chest to protect themselves in the event of attack, by holding it by a handle 28, 29, or by passing a handle 28, 29 around his shot. ^v

In a variant, the lips 17, 19 are not formed integrally with the sheet 2 of roughing of the bell 1, but are fixed on the bell 1. In this case, the lips 17, 19 can be formed of materials different from that of the bell, for example not comprising a splinter-proof layer or an antacid layer. The lips 17, 19 are then more flexible and more manageable when using the mat 22 and the bell 1. In FIG. 6, a protective device according to the invention consists essentially of a bell 38 and d 'a carpet 39. The bell 38 is intended to be placed on the carpet 39 and removably secured to it by covering a suspicious object 40.

As shown in Figure 6, the mat 39 is formed from an upper layer 41 and a lower layer 42 made of splinter material. In the initial state, the upper 41 and lower 42 layers have a generally oval general shape, the upper layer 41 being of dimensions smaller than the lower layer 42. The upper 41 and lower 42 layers are connected by their peripheral edges 43, of so that one obtains a mat 39 having a raised peripheral flange 44 extending substantially vertically upward around the upper surface of the upper layer 41 of the mat 39. One also obtains an intermediate space 45 defined between the central parts of the upper 41 and lower 42 layers of the mat 39. In a central zone of the intermediate space 45 is disposed a rigid force distribution plate 46 and located just below the upper layer 41. The distribution plate 46 can be formed from splinter-proof material.

In the central area of the intermediate space 45, and under the distribution plate 46, are arranged main energy absorption elements 47 which will be better detailed later. A one-piece foam form 48 and provided with a central hole is disposed in the intermediate space 45 surrounding the distribution plate 46 and the absorption elements 47. The foam form 48 constitutes a secondary absorption element. The mat 39 also comprises straps 49, two of which are visible, and having one end fixed to the flange 44 of the mat 39 and an opposite free end 50 provided with fixing means capable of cooperating with hooks, for example in the form of 'a loop.

The bell 38 is made in particular of splinter-proof material and is obtained by folding and fixing panels of a pattern. The bell 38 can be reinforced by any suitable means, such as straps surrounding the bell 38 and fixed thereon to increase its resistance to internal forces. The pattern panels made of splinter-proof material are provided to allow the resistance of the bell 38 to an explosion, in particular with overlaps to avoid the formation of weak zones not resistant to the passage of splinters. The bell 38 is provided with a gripping means in the form of a handle 51 and hooking means in the form of hooks 52 arranged on the top of the bell 38.

As shown in FIG. 6, the object 40 is placed on the upper surface of the upper layer 41 of the mat 39 intended to receive the object 40, and the object 40 is covered by the bell 38. The object 40 is placed on the central portion of the mat 39. The straps 49 of the mat 39 are hooked at their ends to the hooks 52 of the bell 38.

In the event of an explosion of object 40, the blast effect propagates and develops efforts, symbolized by arrows, on the obstacles that the blast effect encounters.

The blast effect reaches the mat 38 and develops significant vertical efforts to crush the mat 38 (arrow FI). The distribution plate 46 distributes the localized forces over its entire surface, and therefore over the entire surface of the absorption elements 47. The absorption elements 47 absorb the energy of the forces applied to the mat 39 by deforming to avoid deterioration of a floor through the mat 39.

The foam 48 provides protection for the areas surrounding the central part by also absorbing part of the crushing energy of the carpet 39. The peripheral zone requires less energy absorption because the energy is mainly located in the center of the carpet 39.

The blast effect propagating horizontally and vertically upwards meets the walls of the bell 38 and develops forces (arrows 3 to 4). The horizontal lateral forces are contained by the bell 38 itself, due to its shape and its resistance to the forces which apply to its interior walls. The forces directed vertically upwards and developed by the blowing effect on the bell 38 request a lifting of the bell 38. Nevertheless, the bell 38 is retained by the straps 49 and the hooks 52, so that the effect of breath propagating vertically upwards is confined. In the event of propagation of an unabsorbed portion of the blast effect horizontally, following the rupture of the bell 38 or by propagation between the bell 38 and the mat, the flange 44 of the mat 39 makes it possible to attenuate such propagation horizontal. The collar 44 constitutes additional security.

Means for fixing the bell and the mat have been described in the form of straps fixed to the mat and able to cooperate with hooks provided on the bell.

Of course, any fixing means could be provided allowing the bell to be held on the carpet for better confinement of the blast effect and better absorption. We can for example provide straps which are fixed at one end on one side of the mat and which can be passed over the bell and hung on a hook provided on an opposite side of the mat, or another strap provided with a hook and fixed on the other side of the carpet, which allows a satisfactory retention of the bell for the confinement of the blast effect. The various fixing means envisaged can of course be associated with one another.

In FIG. 7, absorption elements 47 or dampers are in the form of windings of pipes 53. In the embodiment described, two pipes 53 are wound and stacked one on the other. The winding of the pipes 53 is better visible in FIG. 4. It can be foreseen that the pipes 53 will be kept in the wound position by means of fixing means, such as a flexible flange. Advantageously, the pipes 53 are filled with air and closed at their ends. As shown in Figure 8 by arrows F5, when forces are applied to a distribution plate 46, the absorption elements 47 located under the distribution plate 46 are crushed. The pipe 53 is crushed and its walls are deformed. The energy of the explosion is absorbed by deformation of the walls of the pipe 53. It will be noted that a winding of pipes makes it possible to increase the intermediate walls capable of absorbing the energy of the vertical forces.

In addition, energy is also absorbed by compression of the air trapped in the pipe 53. If the crushing of the pipes 53 continues, it can lead to a tearing of the pipe walls 53. In this case, energy is also absorbed during the tearing of the pipes 53. In addition, when the pipes are pierced, air can escape through the openings. Energy is still dissipated by evacuating the air trapped in the pipes 53.

In FIG. 9, described while keeping the references used for the preceding figures 6 to 8, we can see the intermediate space 45 of the mat 39, a pipe 53 forming an absorption element wound and disposed in the intermediate space 45 in a central zone, and the form of foam 48 arranged in the intermediate space 45 surrounding the pipe 53. The position of the lower edges of the bell 38 has also been shown in dotted lines (FIG. 1).

In FIG. 10, absorption elements 47 are in the form of two windings of superimposed pipes 53, said pipes 53 having a first diameter. Second pipes 54 of diameter smaller than the diameter of the first pipes 53 are inserted into the pipes 53. The pipes 54 are also closed at their ends to trap air. Thus, during the application of a crushing force on the mat 39, the energy will be dissipated firstly by deformation of the pipes 53 then deformation of the pipes 54. The energy is also absorbed by compression of the air included in both the pipes 53 and 54, rupture of the pipe walls 53 and 54 and exhaust of the air included in the pipes 53 and 54. Thus, this arrangement of pipes nested one inside the other makes it possible to increase still the energy that can be absorbed by the absorption elements 47. A pipe can be made of any material allowing energy absorption. Metal pipes can be provided. For reasons of weight and ease of use of the protective device, provision may be made for a plastic pipe, possibly reinforced with a metal frame. In FIG. 11, described while retaining the references used for the preceding figures 6 to 10, there is shown an intermediate container 55 which can be used to place inside said container 55 a suspect object before placing the container 55 on the mat and to cover it with the bell 38. This can be seen in FIG. 1, where a container 55 is shown in dotted lines surrounding the suspect object 40.

Returning to FIG. 6, the container 55 can be in the form of a pocket made of splinter-proof material 56 and having a closure flap 57 provided with closure means 58 able to cooperate with corresponding closure means 59, the closure means can be of the loop and hook strip type.

When the object is placed in the container, in the event of an explosion of the object, the container makes it possible to absorb energy from the blast effect of the explosion, before the blast effect does not reaches the bell. For small objects, one can provide a container as shown in Figure 12 and provided in the form of a drawer 60 of parallelepiped shape and open on one side and can be inserted into a sleeve 61 by sliding.

Thanks to the invention, a splinter protection device is obtained making it possible to isolate a suspect object which may be an explosive device, and to mitigate the effects of a possible explosion of the suspect object. In particular, the device comprises a protective mat for the floor, and a bell making it possible to absorb the blast effect produced by the explosion of an object covered by the bell. Such a device comprising a carpet and a bell makes it possible to protect both the ground as well as the entire space surrounding the confined object. The means of mutual fixing between the carpet and the bell make it possible to avoid lifting the bell relative to the carpet during an explosion to absorb energy and confine the blast effect. In addition, the carpet can include energy absorption means making it possible to prevent the energy produced by the explosion and located on the carpet from causing deterioration of the floor on which the carpet rests, in particular in the case where the protective device is used in a transport vehicle such as an airplane. The splinter protection device can be implemented quickly and easily, which makes its practical use in any type of transport vehicle, and in particular in an aircraft.

Claims

1. Protective device for the containment of explosive or suspected objects as such, characterized in that it comprises a mat (22, 39) and a bell (1, 38), the mat (22) and the bell ( 1) each being formed from sheets of splinter-proof material, the bell (1) being intended to be placed on the carpet (22) by covering a suspicious object placed on the carpet (22).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mat (22) and / or the bell (1) are formed of flexible splinter-proof materials.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bell (1) is obtained by folding a sheet (2) of splinter-proof material and fixing the two sides (6, 7) by their lateral edges, the end edges (8, 11) of the sides (6, 7) being left free to form an opening.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one pan (7) comprises a lateral flap (14, 15) projecting, the flap (14, 15) being intended to be folded and fixed on the another pan.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mat comprises means (47, 53, 54) for absorbing the energy released by the blast effect of an explosion.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the carpet comprises in its thickness of the absorption elements (47, 53, 54) capable of being deformed by dissipating energy.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that an absorption element comprises at least one deformable damper (53, 54) defining an interior volume containing a fluid.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that an absorption element comprises a first damper (53) and at least a second damper (54) of smaller dimensions and nested in the first damper (53).

9. Device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that an absorption element comprises at least one coiled pipe (53, 54).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that a pipe (53, 54) is closed at its ends.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carpet (2) comprises in an intermediate space a form or foam lining (48).

12. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the mat comprises a force distribution zone (46) located between an upper surface of the mat (2) and absorption elements (47 , 53, 54).

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises mutual fixing means (49, 52) between the carpet and the bell.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface of the mat (22) is provided with fixing means with the bell (1).

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an opening of the bell (1) is provided with flexible lips provided with fixing means (17, 19) with the mat (22).

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a splinter-resistant material used in the composition of the bell (1) and / or of the mat (22) is multilayer and comprises at least one resistant layer to acid splashes.

17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mat (22, 39) and / or the bell (1, 38) comprises gripping means.

18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one container (55) made of splinter-proof material, which can be closed, and designed to receive the suspect object and to be placed on the carpet (39) and covered by the bell (38).